BASEBALL. WHITE SOX NOTES.

Debuts satisfy Thomas, Ritchie

Slugger hits 2 sacrifice flies

pitcher rocked

TUCSON, Ariz. — Ken Williams says he's not a fun guy to sit next to during a White Sox game, and the general manager showed why Saturday at his team's second exhibition game.

Williams pounded his fist on a press box table when the Sox lost to Arizona on a two-run home run in the bottom of the 10th, leaving them 0-2 in Cactus League play.

These games don't count, but Williams apparently is in midseason form while his team is merely getting the kinks out.

Frank Thomas and Todd Ritchie were the featured attractions in Sunday's 7-5 victory over the Diamondbacks.

Thomas was making his first appearance since his triceps surgery last May, and Ritchie was making his Sox debut. The results were mixed. Thomas was 0-for-2 with a pair of sacrifice flies, while Ritchie gave up five runs in 22/3 innings. Both were pleased at day's end.

"I'll take it," Thomas said. "I've said that early on I just want to hit line drives. It's going to take a little bit to get all the way back, but in a couple of weeks I'll be fine. As long as I'm making contact right now, I'm happy with it."

Ritchie struck out the first two batters he faced and breezed through the first inning, but then he gave up five runs on five hits and two walks over the next 12/3 innings. As the only major pitching acquisition on a team that ranked eighth in AL pitching last year, and after his 0-8 start with Pittsburgh last year, the pressure will be on Ritchie beginning in April.

However, Ritchie knows it's early March.

"If I had my choice, I'd rather put up zeroes," Ritchie said. "I made a couple of mistakes and they hit the ball. It's early. I've never been a lights-out spring training pitcher. I might get a little worried if I started out real strong."

Running bases: The Sox were one of the worst base-running teams in the league last year, at least in terms of decision-making. But they went 7-for-7 on steal attempts Sunday. Kenny Lofton was 3-for-3 and Ray Durham was 2-for-2.

"They're going to have the freedom to do that," manager Jerry Manuel said. "We'll make sure they're liberated to run and create havoc. We won't put up stop signs."

Lofton led off the game with a bunt single, stole second and was bunted over by Durham. In the third Lofton singled, stole second and executed a double steal with Durham. On both occasions, Lofton scored on Thomas' sacrifice fly.

"I was at the plate thinking, `Man, that's scary,'" Thomas said. "What shocked me, though, was they were throwing curveballs to me with those guys out there. I was like, `Wait a minute, they're going to start taking off.' They threw four curves in a row. I was like, `Whoa.'"

Thomas believes the presence of Lofton and a more aggressive Durham on the bases should force opposing pitchers to challenge him more with fastballs.

"They're going to have to pitch me different," Thomas said.

Thomas plans to DH in all home games and says he may play first against a few National League teams. Despite not hitting in a game since April 27 at Comiskey Park, he doesn't think the absence will affect his timing or batting eye.

"I've been doing this for so long, it was just like a little rest for me," Thomas said. "It wasn't like I missed a whole season."

SPRING REPORT White Sox recap

SCORE: White Sox 7, Diamondbacks 5.

RECORD: 1-2.

AT THE PLATE: Jose Valentin doubled twice and drove in two runs. Kenny Lofton went 3-for-4, and Frank Thomas had two sacrifice flies.

ON THE MOUND: Todd Ritchie was hit hard in 22/3 innings, yielding five runs on five hits and walking two. Bob Howry pitched two scoreless innings. Matt Guerrier notched the save.

IN THE FIELD: Splat goes Aaron Rowand again. He smashed into the left-field wall while making a catch in the fifth. Joe Crede looked sharp at third.

ON THE BASES: The Sox stole seven bases, including three by Lofton and two by Ray Durham.

NEXT UP: Vs. San Diego at 2:05 p.m. Monday in Tucson. Jim Parque makes his debut against righty Bobby Jones.